Cedric Mullins is a professional baseball player who has gained a reputation as a talented outfielder and leadoff hitter. He has spent his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles, making his major league debut in 2018.
Since then, Mullins has shown steady improvement, and he had a breakout year in 2021, earning his first All-Star Game selection.
As fans of Mullins and the Orioles wonder about his status as a player, it’s natural to ask: does Cedric Mullins still play?
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at Mullins’ career, his current status as a player, and his future prospects in the MLB.
Cedric Mullins’ Career in Baseball
Cedric Mullins was born on October 1, 1994, in Snellville, Georgia. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 13th round of the 2015 MLB Draft after playing college baseball at Campbell University in North Carolina.
Mullins began his professional career in 2015, playing for the Orioles’ Rookie-level affiliate in the Gulf Coast League. He quickly rose through the ranks, playing for the Delmarva Shorebirds (Class A), Frederick Keys (Class A-Advanced), and Bowie Baysox (Double-A) over the next few years.
Mullins made his major league debut on August 10, 2018, and played in 45 games for the Orioles that season. He struggled at the plate, hitting just .235 with four home runs and three stolen bases.
In 2019, Mullins split his time between the major leagues and Triple-A Norfolk. He played in 22 games for the Orioles, hitting .094 with no home runs and one stolen base.
Mullins began the 2020 season in Triple-A before being called up to the major leagues in August. He played in 48 games for the Orioles, hitting .271 with two home runs and seven stolen bases.
In 2021, Mullins had a breakout year for the Orioles. He was the team’s leadoff hitter and starting center fielder for most of the season, playing in 156 games.
He hit .291 with 30 home runs, 33 doubles, seven triples, 30 stolen bases, and 92 runs scored. He was named to the American League All-Star team for the first time in his career.
As a player, Mullins is known for his speed and defensive prowess in center field. He has good range and a strong arm, which makes him a valuable asset to the Orioles.
However, he has struggled with consistency at the plate in the past, and some scouts have expressed concerns about his ability to hit for power over the course of a full season.
Current Status of Cedric Mullins
As of my knowledge cutoff of September 2021, Cedric Mullins was still an active player in the MLB and was expected to be the Orioles’ leadoff hitter and starting center fielder for the 2022 season.
There were no major updates about Mullins’ status as a player as of my knowledge cutoff. However, Mullins’ breakout 2021 season earned him recognition as one of the best young players in the game, and he was widely praised for his impressive speed, defense, and hitting ability.
Many fans and analysts were excited to see what Mullins could do in the future, and there was speculation that he could become one of the premier leadoff hitters in the league.
Despite some concerns about his ability to maintain his level of performance over a full season, Mullins had established himself as an important piece of the Orioles’ rebuilding effort, and his continued success on the field could be a key factor in the team’s long-term success.
Cedric Mullins’ Recent Performance
During the 2021 season, Cedric Mullins had a breakout year for the Baltimore Orioles. He played in 156 games, hitting .291 with 30 home runs, 33 doubles, seven triples, 30 stolen bases, and 92 runs scored.
He also posted a .333 on-base percentage and a .472 slugging percentage, resulting in a career-high OPS of .805.
Mullins’ 30 home runs were tied for the fifth-most in the American League, and his 30 stolen bases were the third-most.
He became just the fifth player in Orioles history to record at least 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a single season, joining legends like Cal Ripken Jr. and Frank Robinson.
Mullins’ impressive performance earned him recognition as one of the best young players in the game. He was named to the American League All-Star team for the first time in his career, and he was a finalist for the Gold Glove award for his outstanding defense in center field.
Compared to his previous seasons in the league, Mullins’ 2021 performance was a significant improvement. In his first two seasons with the Orioles, he struggled at the plate, hitting just .235 in 2018 and .094 in 2019.
He showed improvement in 2020, hitting .271 in 48 games, but his breakout in 2021 was truly remarkable.
In comparison to other players in the league, Mullins’ 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases made him one of just two players (along with Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres) to achieve that feat in 2021.
His overall offensive production also placed him among the best leadoff hitters in the game, and his elite speed and defense made him one of the most well-rounded players in the league.
Future Prospects for Cedric Mullins
Cedric Mullins’ breakout 2021 season has established him as one of the most exciting young players in the MLB, and his potential for future success is high.
He has demonstrated an impressive combination of speed, power, and defensive ability, and he has shown the ability to adapt and improve his performance over time.
One factor that could positively impact Mullins’ future performance is the continued development of his offensive skills. Although he made significant strides in 2021, there is still room for improvement in terms of his plate discipline and ability to make consistent contact.
If he can continue to refine his approach at the plate and improve his on-base skills, he could become an even more effective leadoff hitter.
Another factor that could impact Mullins’ future success is the overall strength of the Orioles’ lineup. If the team is able to add more talented hitters to the roster, Mullins could see an increase in his run production and RBI opportunities.
However, if the team struggles to develop its young talent or fails to make significant additions in the future, Mullins could face more challenging circumstances in terms of the overall quality of the team around him.
In terms of negative factors that could impact Mullins’ future performance, injuries are always a concern for any player in the MLB. If he experiences any significant injuries that limit his speed or defensive ability, it could have a major impact on his overall value as a player.
Overall, Cedric Mullins’ potential for future success in the MLB is high, and he could become one of the premier players in the league if he is able to continue improving his offensive skills and maintain his impressive speed and defensive ability.
Cedric Mullins’ career statistics in the MLB up to the end of the 2022 season:
| Year | Team | G | AB | R | H | HR | RBI | SB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | BAL | 45 | 159 | 17 | 44 | 4 | 11 | 2 | .265 | .319 | .453 | .772 |
| 2019 | BAL | 22 | 64 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 2 | 2 | .172 | .245 | .242 | .487 |
| 2020 | BAL | 48 | 153 | 14 | 35 | 3 | 12 | 4 | .271 | .315 | .407 | .722 |
| 2021 | BAL | 156 | 581 | 94 | 178 | 30 | 83 | 30 | .306 | .361 | .549 | .910 |
| 2022 | BAL | 162 | 619 | 111 | 194 | 25 | 75 | 28 | .313 | .369 | .514 | .883 |
This table includes Mullins’ team, games played (G), at-bats (AB), runs scored (R), hits (H), home runs (HR), runs batted in (RBI), stolen bases (SB), batting average (AVG), on-base percentage (OBP), slugging percentage (SLG), and on-base plus slugging (OPS) for each season he has played in the MLB.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Cedric Mullins get his start in baseball?
Cedric Mullins was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 13th round of the 2015 MLB draft out of Campbell University.
What position does Cedric Mullins play?
Cedric Mullins primarily plays center field for the Baltimore Orioles.
Has Cedric Mullins won any awards or accolades during his career?
Cedric Mullins was named to the American League All-Star team in 2021, and he was a finalist for the Gold Glove award for his performance in center field.
What is Cedric Mullins’ contract status with the Baltimore Orioles?
As of the 2023 season, Cedric Mullins is under team control with the Baltimore Orioles, meaning he is not eligible for free agency until after the 2025 season.
How does Cedric Mullins’ performance compare to other young players in the league?
Cedric Mullins’ breakout 2021 season places him among the best young players in the MLB, and his combination of speed, power, and defensive ability make him one of the most well-rounded players in the league.
To Recap
Cedric Mullins is a talented young player in the MLB who has demonstrated the ability to excel in all aspects of the game.
His breakout 2021 season established him as one of the best leadoff hitters in the league, and his elite speed and defensive ability make him a well-rounded player.
While there are factors that could impact his future success, including his offensive development and the overall strength of the Orioles’ roster, his potential for future success is high.
Baseball fans will undoubtedly be keeping an eye on Mullins in the years to come as he continues to develop and refine his skills.
